The Best Free Antivirus

The Panda Logo

Panda Cloud Free

Rating: 4.5/5

Why Panda Cloud Free
✔ extremely lightweight ✔no annoying notifications ✔no updates needed, ever! ✔simple ✔reliable

What does Cloud mean
Whenever you hear the term cloud, it means that you, or a programme that you use, will be able to access certain information online, that otherwise would have to be saved or installed on your computer. Other examples of cloud services are Apple's iCloud and Microsoft's SkyDrive.

How does it work
Panda Cloud uses a combination of local threat detection techniques and a thorough database of security threats which is not saved on your computer but is accessed online, thus you will never have to worry about updates. It provides basic Antivirus security even when you are offline (but the chances of being infected drop dramatically when you are offline anyway).

What does it offer
It offers security against viruses, spyware and rootkit, but it doesn't provide an integrated email scanner. However, popular email services such as gmail, hotmail and yahoo, all scan your emails for viruses before they are delivered to you. In addition, should a threat reach your inbox, Panda will take over and attempt to block it and remove it when/if it is executed.

Who is it for
Panda is an excellent choice for the average Internet user, and an even better choice for people that are not using high-end computers and care about their computer's performance. I've had a very bad experience with Norton Antivirus in the past. It sucked the life out of my computer the moment I installed it. I highly value lightweight software and Panda Cloud gets my vote for that. In fact you will end up forgetting that it runs in the background and you will only be notified about anything if it detects a threat.

Simple Interface

Any cons?
Basic options
No option to quit the programme (but you can disable it)
Beware to only install the actual antivirus during installation, uncheck additional software such as the panda security toolbar, unless you don't mind it.

Conclusion
After having tried a bunch of antivirus progammes, free or purchased, I finally found the one that I prefer by far. There hasn't been a single moment that I was annoyed by it about anything and it has in fact removed a couple of threats that AVG had failed to detect. This is not an Antivirus directed to big companies and organizations that are prone to threats and attacks but rather a very decent solution for the average Internet user that values his computer's performance.

P.S. To further increase performance feel free to disable Windows Defender after installing Panda Cloud as they both offer basic anti-spyware protection. For more advanced antispyware protection I recommend "Malwarebytes Bytes" (the free version offers scanning and removal options but no real-time protection)

Introduction

After having spent 16 years of using the Internet, I think it's time I started my own blog. To be honest, I have tried starting a few blogs in the past but they were all failed attempts (I don't think that one post makes it a blog anyway).

This one will be revolved around things that I like and I recommend, things that have to do with the Internet, technology or various products and things that I like in general. And since my friends tell me that I like to nag a lot, I decided to make this a positive thread and focus the things that I approve, like the title suggests. However, I have to stay true to who I am, and thus you will occasionally have to put up with my rants about things that I hate.

I hate big introductions, or trying to sugar-coat my text with a lot of "sophistication" so I will get to the point right away and try save the essays for my diary. (I don't really keep a diary)

I hope you enjoy the content of my blog and check regularly for updates.